Charles Tries to Get to 1K

Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles is in that category, and being able to finish with 1,000 yards is definitely a big deal to him. “That would be real special,” he said, smiling when the subject is raised. “My fullbacks and line, we’re really trying to get there. My line is with me, my quarterback is with me, my wide receivers, everybody is in with me. They want me to get it.” To Charles, 1,000 yards is still the magic number that separates the great backs from the good ones. That leaves Charles with plenty of work to do in Sunday’s final game of the season against the Broncos in Denver if he’s to reach 1,000. He needs at least 139 yards. But during the first eight games, Charles was a little-used backup in seven and, inexplicably, inactive for another. So it’s natural for the Chiefs to wonder where Charles might be if he had been a regular the entire season. Since he became the featured back in the Nov. 15 game, Charles has 709 yards, second in the league to Johnson and his 913 yards.

Leach Fired

Texas Tech fired coach Mike Leach on Wednesday, two days after he was suspended by the school as it investigated his treatment of a player with a concussion. The school handed a termination letter to Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, minutes before the two sides were to appear in a Lubbock courtroom for a hearing on the coach's suspension. Leach was suspended by the university on Monday as the school investigated his treatment of receiver Adam James. The sophomore alleged the coach twice confined him to small, dark spaces while the team practiced. James is the son of former NFL player and ESPN college football analyst Craig James. Some Texas Tech players believed the university's decision to dismiss Leach was appropriate. Tech is the second Big 12 school to launch an internal investigation into a coach's treatment of his players. The short clip shows the space where James was allegedly confined. A voice in the video also seems to explain that he has "turned the lights on real quick" to give viewers a look at the room.

Sidney Crosby featured in Reebok ad

The video ad Highlight's Sidney Crosby as he honed his hockey skills as a young boy growing up in Canada by lobbing shots at his family's washer-and-dryer. That washer-dryer has since been retired at the Hockey Hall of Fame — dents and all.

It WASNT About the "U"

"It's all about the U" let me down last night. The game could have been a lot closer, or it could have been a LOT worse. Miami blew several opportunities to make this a game. Unfortunately, they didn't capitalize until it was too late. The Hurricanes struggled on both sides of the ball. Defense didn't play as they allowed Badgers QB Scott Tolzien to have a career-high 260 yards. After allowing only two rushing touchdowns and an average of 96 rushing yards over their last seven regular-season games, the Hurricanes’ run defense permitted 197 rushing yards and both of Wisconsin’s touchdowns on the ground. They gave up 430 yards of total offense. Unbelievable! I mean but the offense didn't show up either. I was expecting it to be a rout when they took the opening kick to the house [called back] and Graig Cooper scored. Well I guess I was wrong because that was the only high moment of the night. Jacory Harris was rattled all night. It was not his fault though because his line gave him no time. Then on top of that, Cooper's next carry may not be until 2011. The initial diagnosis of Cooper's injured right knee is that the severity is "very bad" and could sideline Miami's leading rusher for the 2010 season. He likely had an ACL tear. There could be more damage. Hope he is alright though.

Lewis and Little Put on a Show But Pitt Wins

The game outcome was as expected but it was not the best game I have seen. Take away Greg Little and MVP Dion Lewis, and the Meineke Car Care Bowl was a mess, although an entertaining one that Pitt won on a last-minute field goal, 19-17. Dion Lewis rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown to pass Tony Dorsett as Pittsburgh's top freshman rusher. As I guessed, North Carolina's defense struggled to contain the shifty Lewis. Lewis had eclipsed 100 yards by halftime, his 10th 100-yard game of the season and his eighth straight. His only negative was the fumble that he lost in the endzone. The play of the game had to be the ball that Little caught in the endzone though. After the play he punted the ball away and Butch Davis got into him for that. Little caught seven passes for 87 yards. UNC was unbelievably close to 11-2. Instead, their coach had to apologize for being "not as smart as we needed to" and 8-5.

Bulldogs Put it on the Aggies

So Jerrod Johnson is too dangerous is all Georgia kept hearing. Tim Tebow and Ryan Mallett combined for nine touchdowns against the Bulldogs this season. As he proved against Texas, Johnson can do it all so Georgia's defense will be tested. Well the passed that test as they held quarterback Jerrod Johnson and Co., to only three touchdowns - one in the final minute with the starters on the bench - in a 44-20 blowout. Bulldogs defense picked off two passes by Jerrod Johnson. You can't just put the blame on Jerrod shoulders because his special teams played horrible. They had four busted plays that led to 21 points. The Aggies were expected to produce a slew of points that did not happened although, they did rolled up 471 yards of total offense. Johnson finished with 29 of 58 passes for 362 yards and one score.

Fumbling Costs the Vikings Home-Field Adv.

Adrian Peterson said he's never felt more disappointed as an NFL player than he was late Monday night after his fumble in overtime set up Chicago's winning touchdown in a 36-30 Bears victory at Soldier Field. I was rooting for the guy to get the ball in the crunch the whole time because I got tired of seeing Favre throw the ball. So when he does get the ball on a short pass what does he do? He fumbles and gives the Bears the ball and they kick the go-ahead field goal in OT. It was Peterson's seventh fumble of the season and the sixth that he's lost. None was bigger than this. At least he took fault for it saying, "I'm sick right now," he said. "I'm very disappointed. I really feel like I lost this game. We were in position to win the game, and I gave it away." But now you have to question later in the crunch time do you want him in. Personally, I still say yes because of how hard he was running but fumbling is no excuse. He does not want to be known as the back who was a home run threat but could not hold on to the ball. Trust me I am a running back, I should know.

Ending on a Good Note

C.J. Spiller scored a touchdown and had 172 all-purpose yards in his final college game, leading Clemson to a 21-13 victory Sunday night in the Music City Bowl at Nashville. The Tigers (9-5) hadn't won a bowl since the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl. Kentucky (7-6) was trying to make program history by winning a fourth straight bowl game. Spiller, the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year, scored the 51st touchdown of his career -- a Clemson record -- on an eight-yard run with 10:14 left in the fourth quarter to make it 21-13. Spiller finished with 68 yards in 15 carries and 57 yards on three catches. He was named the game's most valuable player. His 7,588 career all-purpose yards to eclipse former Memphis standout DeAngelo Williams (7,573) for second place among FBS players. Man I can't wait to see this guy on Sundays. Spiller, who ran for 233 yards and four touchdowns in the ACC championship loss to Georgia Tech, leaves with a school-record 51 touchdowns. He had 21 scores this year to tie the ACC single-season record with North Carolina's Dan McCauley.

Race for 2K

Titans' playoff dreams are finished for this season. Now it's back to reality with goals quickly set on other historic marks. Finish 8-8, which no NFL team has ever managed after starting a season with six straight losses. And get Chris Johnson to 2,000 yards rushing, making him only the sixth player in league history to reach that mark. Johnson has 1,872 yards after he ran for 142 yards and a touchdown against San Diego. That was his 10th straight 100-yard rushing game, giving him the third-longest streak behind Barry Sanders (14 in 1997) and Marcus Allen (11 in 1985-86). Jamal Lewis was the last to run for 2,000 yards in 2003. "That record would mean a lot to me," Johnson said. "That was one of my goals that I set before this year started, and a lot of people didn't even think I would get close or whatever. To get that record would mean a lot to me. So basically this team will get back to work, and we got one more game left so hopefully we can get .500." Johnson isn't giving up on Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards either. He would need 233 yards to tie the mark Dickerson set in 1984. That would be a new career high for the running back who ran for 228 yards against Jacksonville. The Seahawks should provide Johnson a realistic chance to set a few of those records. They’re not among the weakest defenses in the league, nor are they one of the strongest.

This is My Sorry For...

Listen up, Giants nation. Your team has a message for you. Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning stood up and actually apologized to the fans for the 41-9 whipping they took from the Carolina Panthers. They had no explanations or no excuses, they were just sorry for how they said farewell to Giants Stadium.

Coach Coughlin:
“The one thing I want to say to our fans, and to a man also, is we’d like to apologize for yesterday,” coach Tom Coughlin said Monday, one day after the blowout loss to the Panthers that knocked the Giants from postseason contention. “For whatever reason, a team that had an awful lot to play for, that had opportunities there, that was playing Giants Stadium for the last regular season game of the Giants, didn’t play up to our capabilities. It’s a very frustrating thing.”

Eli Manning:
“I apologize. I wish I had an answer," quarterback Eli Manning said. "I wish we would have come out and played better football. I don’t have the answer to why it happened and why it’s happened throughout the season where we’ve been up and down in our play. We have to find a way to be more consistent. The good teams in this league, they are consistent week in and week out. You might not win every game, but you’re going to be in the fight every game.”

Coughlin went searching for answers by meeting with his leadership council on Monday to discuss why this team has been so inconsistent this season. He might need to meet with more than that. So long Giants better luck next season.

Cold Shoulder

Rockets coach Rick Adelman told basketball’s highest-paid player this season – $23 million – there were no plans to increase his role beyond the eight minutes per night, that they had witnessed nothing that warranted his insertion into the regular rotation. When McGrady, his agent Bob Myers and the Rockets management are done talking over the next 48 hours, two sources told Yahoo! Sports they believe the likely resolution will be McGrady leaving the Rockets and returning to Chicago to work with renowned trainer Tim Grover at Attack Athletics gymnasium. Rockets are willing to take back long-term money for the right trade with McGrady. Sources say they’ve shown an interest in Sacramento Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin, but the Kings want to see him play with rookie Tyreke Evans. The Kings would likely want the Rockets to take Beno Udrith and Andres Nocioni with Kenny Thomas’ expiring deal, but none of that is happening. The possibility of a contract buyout isn’t expected to be addressed now with McGrady’s agent, because there’s just no motivation for Houston to give him one until the trade deadline passes in February. Unless, of course, T-Mac is willing to give back several million dollars to become a free agent now. They doing my dude dirty. Hope he goes somewhere and restart his career.

Via Y!

Decisions Decisions

Jevan Snead may return for his senior season at Ole Miss, where he has thrown for 5,226 yards and 46 touchdowns while leading the team to back-to-back Cotton Bowl berths. Either way, Snead said he will have no regrets about the way his college career unfolded after starting it in Austin with a Texas team that will play Alabama for the BCS national championship. Snead, who transferred to Ole Miss after playing the 2006 season at Texas as the backup to Colt McCoy. He remains unsure what type of feedback it would take from NFL officials to convince him to leave school. If he returns, Snead said, "There’s a lot of things I could improve on." He cited decision-making, timing and footwork as examples. If he does come out he will join the list of quarterbacks that looks strong.

Smith Wants to Start

According to the Twitter account of Ralph Cindrich (RalphCindrich), who is Smith's agent, Smith no longer wants to bide his time behind starter Joe Flacco.

"Ravens QB Troy Smith, Ohio State alum, native + Heisman winner wants playing time," Cindrich wrote earlier Monday. "Ravens notified. Will seek trade after play offs, SB run."

Coach John Harbaugh said he was aware of the request, but that he wants to retain Smith. "I know from a coach’s perspective, I want Troy Smith here as long as we can keep Troy Smith here," Harbaugh said. "Troy Smith is a heck of a quarterback, and I know that at some point in time, he wants to be a starter. But Troy Smith is a Raven, and we try to keep Ravens as long as we can."

First Bowl

Man I am so glad that DeMarco Murray gets to play in this year bowl game. He has accomplished so much except one thing which is yet to do is play in a bowl game. The last two seasons, Murray has suffered season-ending injuries late in the year. This time, Murray is healthy and pumped about his first bowl experience. "It’s very exciting,” said Murray, who dislocated his kneecap in 2007, then ruptured his hamstring on the opening kickoff of the Big 12 Championship in 2008. "I feel like this could be a huge game for me.” The Sooners have sorely missed Murray’s offensive firepower in their last two bowls, a 48-28 defeat to West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl and a 24-14 loss to Florida in the BCS National Championship. "He’s a big-play, explosive guy, and you need him out there,” coach Bob Stoops said. "Hopefully, he can get through the week and be ready to go.” Make sure you tune in on New Years Eve at noon.

UF Loses Urban

Urban Meyer is stepping down as coach of the Florida football team, athletics director Jeremy Foley announced Saturday afternoon in a release. "I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program," Meyer said in statement. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family. "After consulting with my family, Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family. "I'm proud to be a part of the Gainesville community and the Gator Nation and I plan to remain in Gainesville and involved with the University of Florida. "I'm very appreciative for the opportunity I've had to be a part of a tremendous institution - from Dr. Machen to Jeremy Foley and the entire administrative staff at UF. I'm also very thankful for the chance to work with some of the best assistants in college football and coach some of the best college football players and watch them grow both on and off the field as people. I will cherish the relationships with them the most."Meyer will coach his last game for Florida against Cincinnati on Jan. 1 at the Sugar Bowl. I expect this to cause Florida to lose some recruits and probably some players that didn't know whether to stay to leave.








Via ESPN

All-Decade Defense Team (NBA)

Time for the edition of the NBA All-Team of the Decade. There was a few disputes for the guards but the forwards and the center was hands down. Let me get straight to it:


PG

• Steve Nash (There was a dispute between him and Kidd but back-to-back MVP awards and in 04-05 he averaged a double-double, enough said. I know Kidd has the rings but the only PG in history to have back to back MVPs is Magic Johnson)
• Jason Kidd (Kidd's best years of the decade came in his first few seasons with the Nets. Kidd led the Nets to 2 NBA Finals appearances)

SG

• Kobe Bryant (By far the easiest choice for SG. He has been hands down the premier scoring guard of the last decade. Kobe has reached the playoffs in 9 of the 10 seasons of the decade, reaching the NBA Finals 6 times, and winning 4 NBA Championships.)
• Dwyane Wade (driving Miami to the 2006 championship and earning a ring before LeBron and Carmelo Anthony. Some even call him the East Coast version of Kobe. Whatever it is he has IT and may be better than Kobe if he gets the right people under him)

SF

• Lebron James (How could you not put this guy up there? By his fourth year he was in the NBA Finals. He's already on his way to being one of the all-time greats. I know I may get heat for not picking KG but who would you start your team behind?)
• Kevin Garnett (K.G. shook the label of being one of the greatest never to win a title when he joined the C's 2007-08. In Minnesota, he was 2004 league MVP and lead them to the playoffs 5x. No doubt Garnett will go down as one of the great defenders)

PF

• Tim Duncan (The greatest power forward in NBA history. Led the Spurs to the playoffs for all 10 years of the decade. Duncan brought the Spurs to 3 NBA Finals and winning all 3; two of those times he was the Finals MVP)
• Dirk Nowitzki (One of the best and most versatile 7-footers ever to play on the offensive end. Nowitzki led his Mavericks to the playoffs 9 seasons in the past decade and one Finals)

C

• Shaquille O'neal (To me he is the only one to give credit to. In this day and age a center is something that does not come around every draft. Dwight Howard maybe next or Yao but this decade it was Shaq. He won three titles with the Lakers and another after being traded to Miami. Shaq might be remembered as one of, if not the greatest center to ever play the game)

Few notable not named: Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Paul Pierce, Chauncy Billups

All-Decade Defense Team (NFL)

The defense for the NFL was just as consensus as it was for the offense:

LB:

• Ray Lewis: (I mean the name speaks for itself still to this day; Lewis was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2000 and 2004, and the Super Bowl MVP in 2001)
• Derrick Brooks: (1 only four players in NFL history voted to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls; 6 All-Pro, NFL Defensive Player of the Year award (2002), and helped the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl)
• Joey Porter (notched 81 sacks this decade and went to four Pro Bowls. He wont a Super Bowl with Pittsburgh, recording a career best 17.5 sacks at age 31)

DB:

• Champ Bailey (Best shut-down;8 Pro Bowls this decade and 38 INTs; 06 10 INTs and did not allow a touchdown all season
• Charles Woodson (very underrated has gone strong from the begining of the decade to now. The most consistent corner this decade; although he does not have any WOW stats; 37 INTs 6 of them TDs, 20FF, batts down passes(105), he has 550+ tackles )
• Ed Reed (5-time Pro Bowl selection NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004; intercepting 43 passes in only seven NFL seasons)
• Brian Dawkins (21 Career Sacks, 723 Career Tackles, 34 Career INT's, 32 Career FF, 16 Career FR 7-Time Pro Bowler & 4-Time First-Team All-Pro)

All-Decade Offense Team (NFL)

In this edition I will be presenting the NFL All Decade Team For the 2000's. This was by far the easiest compared to the college:

QB: (tie)

• Peyton Manning (Three-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl XLI Champion, 49,841 passing yards, 366 TD, 95.3 career passer rating, most wins of decade (131))
• Tom Brady (2007 NFL MVP, Three-time Super Bowl Champion, Two-time Super Bowl MVP, Most TD passes in a season)

RB:

• Ladainian Tomlinson (From his rookie season in 2001 through 2008, Tomlinson had at least 1,500 rushing/receiving yards and 10 touchdowns)

FB:

• Lorenzo Neal (Hands down he doesn't have stats but listen to them names he help make: LT, Corey Dillion, Eddie George. Exactly point made. Every season '00-07, blocked for a RB who gained at least 1,300 yards.)

WR:

• Terrell Owens (Even though he has had problems on teams is hard to argue: 6-time Pro-Bowl, 5-time All-Pro, 14,827 yards, 143 TD, only player to score a TD against all 32 NFL teams)
• Randy Moss (6-time Pro-Bowl selection, 4-time All-Pro, 2000 Pro-Bowl MVP, 14,345 receiving yards, 145 TD, most TD's in a season for WR; Mr Rice be on the lookout for someone who may threaten your Best WR title)

TE:

• Tony Gonzalez (Could be Anotino Gates but na when you look at his numbers:10-time Pro-Bowl selection, 6-time first team All-Pro, holds tight-end records for touchdowns, receptions and yards; Shannon Sharpe had 815 catches in 12 seasons spanning two decades. Gonzalez has another year left in him.

All-Decade Defense Team

Ok so yesterday I posted my college football All-Decade Team for offense so today I'll post for defense.

Picking the LBs were hard because there have been some great ones


LB:

1. AJ Hawk (Totaling 95 total tackles (16.5 for loss) '05 Lombardi Award and two-time All-America (2004 and '05))
2. Rey Maualuga (2x All-Pac-10 pick, All-American for 2008 defense allowed fewer PPG than any other team this decade)
3. Patrick Willis (Despite only 22 starts, he finished his career with 355 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.)

DB:

1. Sean Taylor (All-American in '03, finalist for the Thorpe Award, Big East DPOY, tied a single-season record with 10 INTs, including a stretch of one in 4 straight)
2. Ed Reed (2x All-American in '00 and '01. He led the nation in interceptions (9) in '01 and ended his career as the school's all-time leader)
3. Antoine Cason (first-team All-America and the Jim Thorpe Award winner in '07, 183 tackles and 15 interceptions during his career)
4. Derrick Strait ( Freshman All-American for the 2000 national championship team,hree-time All-Big 12 selection, two-time All-America and winner of the 2003 Nagurski and Thorpe awards)

All-Decade Offense Team

Since the decade is coming to a close and everybody is making their own decade team I decided to make one. Here's my all-decade team (skilled offense):


QB:

1. Vince Young (Threw for over 6,000 yards and 44 touchdowns and also ran for over 3,100 and 37 touchdowns)
2. Ken Dorsey (Second-leading passer of all-time with 9,565 yards with 86 touchdown passes. led the Hurricanes through one of the most dominant stretches)
3. Tim Tebow (Tebow has accounted for 8,800 yards passing, 2,900 yards rushing, 141 touchdowns, 34 wins as a starter)

RB:

1. Reggie Bush (Bush registered an almost unbelievable 8.7 yards per carry and 222 all-purpose yards per game)
2. Adrian Peterson (Peterson missed11 games over his last two seasons but still ran over 4,000 yards and 41 touchdowns in just three years)
3. Darren McFadden (Heisman runner-up amassed 4,590 rushing yards in three seasons and 41 touchdowns)

WR:

1. Larry Fitzgerald (2nd Heisman voting for a 92-catch, 22-touchdown season as just a sophomore)
2. Michael Crabtree (134-catch, 1,962-yard, 22-touchdown effort that smashed every freshman record in 2007)
3. Calvin Johnson (Finished with nearly 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns in three years imagine if he had a QB)
4. Andre Johnson (Finished at UMiami career catching 92 passes for 1,831 yards (19.9 avg.) and 20 touchdowns)

TE:

1. Kellen Winslow (Winslow set Miami records for a tight end with 57 receptions for 726 yards)

Guranatee

Well I am sure we all heard Mr. Overrated Roy Williams was upset with local media last week when he said his comments about guaranteeing a Cowboys victory in New Orleans were misconstrued. On Sunday, however, a New Orleans columnist gave Williams credit for predicting the victory. “I didn’t say nothing bad,” Williams said. “I said if we showed up we should win the game. All three phases [offense, defense, special teams] showed up.” When asked if he would make a prediction this week, Williams giggled and said, “I’m moving on to the Washington Redskins. Saints are over and done with. They’re 13-1.”And then he gingerly stated the possibilities for the game Sunday night in Washington. “We have a shot to win. We pack our bags – offense, defense and special teams – we got a chance to win this game.” The only thing funny is about this is how Tony and Miles Austin saved him because he did drop one ball late in the game. So a play here and there and were talking a different ball game. He is the last person that should be saying anything because he has not performed up to standards. But I mean that is your Number 1 WR.

Former Sooner Cut

The Kansas City Chiefs placed Bradley on waivers today with two games remaining in the season. They signed Quinten Lawrence to take his place. The Bears let go of the often-injured Bradley early last season and he caught on with the Chiefs. He had 24 receptions for 320 yards and two touchdowns this season, but Bradley is among the league leaders in dropped passes and the Chiefs top the league in that category with 47, four shy of the record held by the 1995 New York Jets and 2003 Detroit Lions. The Chiefs dropped nine passes in their loss to Cleveland on Sunday, five on third down. For all the nicks and bruises that sidelined him with the Bears, a league source said Bradley didn't miss a day of practice in Kansas City this season. Someone, apparently, had to pay for the drops, though. Chiefs coach Todd Haley was the Bears' wide receivers coach from 2001 to 2003.

Playoffs Hopes

Tom Coughlin and the Giants are thinking about one thing — winning their final two games. Coughlin says the Giants need to keep playing well to defeat Carolina (6-8) on Sunday and then win at Minnesota (11-3) to close the regular season. Coughlin was more worried about the Panthers after their showing against the Vikings. If the Giants win out and either Dallas or Green Bay loses a game, the Giants hold the tiebreaker and would make the playoffs. The Giants have made the playoffs the last four years, but this year's late-season run is different. Not only do the Giants need to play well this season, they need help. Dallas plays at Washington (4-10) on Sunday night and finishes at home against Philadelphia (10-4) in a game that could decide the NFC East title. Green Bay is at home this weekend against Seattle (5-9) and travels to Arizona to play the Cardinals (9-5) in the regular-season finale.

TMZSports?

According to Sports by Brooks, TMZ Sports sounds more like a sports gossip site than anything else. So why is Levin is starting TMZSports.com? If you have to ask that question, this must be your first visit to SbB. Look at ESPN. With the majority of our only truly national sports network’s revenue derived from contractual agreements to broadcast NFL, MLB, NBA and NCAA hoops and football games, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think that ESPN’s news reporting operation could be compromised by those financial arrangements. Add in the fact that ESPN has no major national sports media competitor and now tell me what incentive ESPN has to report negative news about anything involving those league partners? Say a sports blog breaks an original story that portrays one of ESPN’s league partners in an unflattering light. Because ESPN doesn’t have to fear another national network competitor widely distributing that blog’s story – because no such competitor exists – why would ESPN acknowledge the story? That’s where TMZSports.com will come in. Harvey Levin doesn’t have to worry about a college football broadcast contract worth hundreds of millions when investigating Charlie Weis‘ on-the-record claim that Pete Carroll was living with a grad student in Malibu. Levin doesn’t have to worry about getting press credentials to future USC games, or getting access to Carroll for interviews. Most importantly, Levin has the desire and the ability to distribute what he finds out about Carroll’s living arrangement to a large enough audience that the story will break through into the mainstream. Something independent sports blogs with huge scoops are largely incapable of. TMZ Sports will be online and ready to go within the next few months. Warner Brothers has registered TMZSports.com as the domain for the new TMZ Sports site. This will be very interesting

JC to CJ

In our world every player is the next somebody. For Kansas City Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles, the comparison has been the next Chris Johnson, all-world running back for the Tennessee Titans. Both are small, shifty and have the ability to score anywhere on the field. Johnson demonstrates that ability on just about a weekly basis. Charles has just flashed that potential only now and again. Both lead their respective teams in rushing. Charles just passed 600 yards and Johnson just passed 1,600 yards. Both lead their teams in receptions - Charles with 34 and Johnson with 42. Yeah, they're not the same player, but we need the comparisons to make us feel that our player is the next someone. "I'm a physical player and I can run the ball just like Chris Johnson does," Charles said after last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills when he rushed for a career high. more and more people who are talking about the Chiefs tailback,the JC-to-CJ comparison keeps popping up. "He looks a little bit like the [Chris] Johnson kid from Tennessee, where he has that home run ability," Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said this week. "They're using him all over the place. They flex him out as a receiver and he's doing some great things out there, beating corners and things like that." "Jamaal has an ability to score form anywhere on the field and not a lot of guys in the NFL have that ability," Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel said this week. "Certainly those guys are hard to come by." He's definitely not Chris Johnson yet but at least over the last five weeks the comparisons have becoming more and more realistic.

Starting Job Up for Grabs

Sooners' coach also sent this not-too-subtle message to Landry Jones: The starting job at quarterback next season is up for grabs. NCAA rules prohibit Stoops from talking specifically about potential recruits. But it's no secret the Sooners are making a strong push to sign Cameron Newton, the No. 1 overall junior-college quarterback prospect. Insiders confirm Stoops might modify his team's offensive direction if he can find a big-time quarterback who's a dual-threat. Jones and his predecessor, 2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, were cast from the same pure-pocket-passer mold. Asked yesterday if he'd like to tweak his offensive approach next season with a quarterback who can run, Stoops said, "Absolutely. It depends on our personnel. But there's no question that that's something that you'd always like to be able to do to some degree. I don't ever think we'd do it (run) as much as a lot of people do." Some recruiting experts think Newton will end up at Mississippi State because of first-year coach Dan Mullen. Newton originally signed with Florida and worked with Mullen, the Gators' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

A Little ''Devine''

Noel Devine talks a lot like a guy who isn't ready to leave Morgantown any time soon. When asked about whether he would come back next season he had to say this: "Whatever falls in place. Whatever's right,'' Devine said. "I'll just leave it in God's hands.'' The deal is pretty simple. Devine has been at West Virginia for three years. After serving as Steve Slaton's apprentice as a true freshman, he has since put together back-to-back seasons of 1,289 and 1,297 yards rushing. Devine said he hasn't submitted his paperwork, either to enter the draft or even to have his draft position analyzed by the NFL. "Right now I'm just focused on coming back and winning a national championship,'' Devine said. "This game could mean a lot, but right now I'm just focused on coming back. And it will be so much better next year than this year.'' Indeed, the Gator Bowl could be what tips the scales one way or another. But ask Devine if he has any unfinished business in college and he's quick to answer. "There's a lot of things I'd like to accomplish, a lot of records,'' said Devine, who with another season like his last two would likely finish second on the school's all-time rushing list and could challenge Avon Cobourne for the top spot. "Touchdown records, rushing yards, all kinds of things.''

Baseball or Football

After this weekend, Parker might never play college football again. Parker's rookie football campaign comes to an end with Sunday's Music City Bowl against Kentucky, After beating out Korn for the job last spring, Parker held a firm grasp on the role from start to finish. Parker is set to return for his third season with Clemson's baseball team for the beginning of his third year — making the former first-team All-ACC baseball pick eligible for the pro draft in June. Parker is tentatively ranked as the preseason No. 71 college prospect by Baseball America — validating the possibility he could elect to forgo his remaining years of football. The irony in Kyle Parker's new dilemma is that he considered a switch to Mississippi where coach Houston Nutt sought to groom him as Jevan Snead's eventual replacement.

Committed to Breaking the Record

Titans, especially the offensive linemen, are as committed as the second-year running back to helping Johnson become only the sixth player in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season with an eye toward Eric Dickerson's single-season record of 2,105 yards. So offensive linemen, tight ends, fullback Ahmard Hall and even the wide receivers are busy blocking defenders. Johnson isn't just outrunning defenders, and those teammates, to the end zone. He's even more potent over the past few games because he's zigzagging around the field, letting teammates pick up defenders and following those blocks to the sliver of daylight he needs. Johnson has targeted becoming the first player since Jamal Lewis in 2003 to rush for 2,000 yards, this has become a team goal. The Titans kept handing the ball to Johnson in the fourth quarter against St. Louis, trying to boost his yardage.

Tebow's Future in the NFL

--Bill Polian who is Colts president had this to say about Tim Tebow

First of all without reference to anyone, let me remind everybody that what you hear on television and what you see on television is often not what we see and hear and look at it on tape as scouts. (Those are) two different worlds. Television, especially the sports channels, is in the business of creating stories and creating ratings. Many times they will construct players out of whole cloth who really have no reason to be stars. I can think of a couple that come to mind. That can happen. I'm not saying that's the case with Tim Tebow, but it can happen, so don't be swayed by that. I remind you – perhaps the greatest of all examples – that when [Colts quarterback] Peyton Manning was coming out in the draft, he did not win the Heisman Trophy. I don't know who won that year, but it wasn't Peyton Manning, and he was considered by the so-called experts, 'A product of the system,' a guy with a 'weak arm,' and a guy who's ceiling, who's growth potential as a pro, was severely limited. Ryan Leaf was considered by far the better prospect, by far the better athlete, by far the better leader. You know the rest of the story, so with that sort of caveat, I'll say this: 'I think Tim Tebow is a really good football player.' If you were going to run the Wildcat offense enough to say that you needed a specialized Wildcat quarterback to do it, who could both run the ball and withstand the pounding that you have to take in the National Football League and throw it effectively from the Wildcat, I think Tim Tebow would be a heck of a guy. If you're going to take your offense and say, 'We're going to do what the Miami Dolphins do; we're going to run this 45, maybe 50 percent, maybe 60 percent of the time,' then he's the perfect guy for you. I don't know where you'd take him in the draft, but he fits perfectly there. I've heard other people say he could be a great goal-line and short-yardage running back. I believe that to be the case. I've heard people say they think he can be a very good tight end. I believe that would be the case. I don't know how he catches the ball, but I presume and think he's a good enough athlete that that would not be a problem. There's room for Tim Tebow, if you wanted to install the Wildcat as a part of a specific and integral part of your offense. He'd be perfect for you.

Rutgers Mr. Everything

Well I am enjoying the ending of the college football season. This weekend there was an upset and some great games. In the St. Petersburg Bowl, versatile freshman Mohamed Sanu doing a little bit of everything, Rutgers extended its postseason success with a 45-24 rout of Central Florida. The multi-threat receiver ran for two touchdowns out of the Wildcat formation and also scored on an 11-yard reception from Tom Savage, another true freshman who threw for a career-best 294 yards. Sanu scored on runs of 5 and 1 yards in the first half. His first reception, a 61-yard gain to the UCF 12 on a pass that was slightly underthrown, set up his 11-yard TD catch that made it 35-17 early in the third quarter. He will be something SERIOUS in the Big East next season. He will be the next big thing in college football — or at least Rutgers’ version of it. Sanu stands 6-2 and weighs 215 pounds, and can run over defenders or away from them. He can throw, catch and run, and even returns kicks.

Franks Helping the Sooners

Next year’s Oklahoma offense should be improved. Quarterback Landry Jones will have a season of experience under his belt.Wideouts Ryan Broyles, Dejuan Miller and Jaz Reynolds form a promising, young corps. And DeMarco Murray, if he returns, gives OU a quality feature running back. But in all reality, with the offensive line projecting to remain in rebuild mode, it will be on the defense again to carry the Sooners to any kind of championship level, Big 12 or beyond. That’s why the expected return of Dominique Franks is huge for next season. The All-Big 12 cornerback, who could have bolted for the NFL Draft, announced two weeks ago that he will instead return for his senior season. Their 2010 opponents Florida State, Cincinnati, Texas, Missouri, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State all averaged 30-plus points a game this season. And only FSU and Tech have to come to Norman. With Franks, the defense will be equipped to handle all comers. And perhaps carry OU back to championship-caliber status.

Guru Says Leave

Todd McShay, ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst, has some advice for UM running back Graig Cooper. Skip your senior season and head to the NFL. Cooper were told by Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon last month to test the NFL waters by applying to the league’s advisory committee for a projection on where they might be drafted if they choose to forego their final seasons. But McShay, who views Cooper as a second or “worst-case” third round pick, said the 6-foot, 200-pound running back is the only UM junior that should pull the trigger and enter the NFL Draft. “Obviously, he’s had his ups and downs throughout his career, but when it comes to running backs, I just think the sooner you can go the better,” McShay said during a conference call on Monday afternoon. “It’s the only position I would say that for. The shelf life for backs is so short as it is that if you’re going to come back and take another pounding…he’s looking at a not-great running back class [in] a year where he showed some flashes. “It’s a business decision that he has to make. Is he better off moving up a round by coming back next year and losing out on a [NFL] year, or is he better off being one year closer to free agency in what projects to be a very short career in the NFL because of the position he plays. That’s why I think Cooper, of those four, is the one that should go and the other three should go back to school.” McShay said tailback Javarris James will be taken “somewhere in the middle to late rounds.” Among running backs, James will be the 10th to 14th player picked at the position, McShay added. Personally I would hate to see Cooper gone because the U maybe something special next season. He has to do what is best for him though.

Nike Puppets

Well I am sure everybody knows that Nike is back at it with the puppets (if not I'll update tomorrow). This is the recent one from tonight. It has a Christmas edition to it:

Horn Wanting to Comeback

As prelude to Saturday’s New Orleans Saints-Dallas Cowboys game, New Orleans NBC affiliate WDSU-Channel 6 will produce a one-hour pregame special at 6 p.m. During this special, there is an interview with Joe Horn, in which the former Saints wide receiver told Fulton that he’s still in playing shape and would like to retire as a Saint. He probably just trying to get him a ring which I don't blame him for doing but clearly that is all he is trying to do.

Paulus to Transfer to W&M

UNC backup quarterback Mike Paulus will transfer to William & Mary. UNC offensive coordinator John Shoop's brother, Bob Shoop, is the defensive coordinator at William & Mary. UNC and William & Mary will face each other next season. Paulus will not go to the Meineke Car Care Bowl. UNC will still be in good shape at quarterback next year without Paulus, as the Heels will return Yates, Hanson, and Bryn Renner, and A.J. Blue, whocould also help the position in 2010.






Via ESPN

A Possible USC Violation...Again

Another possible violation at USC. Oh what a surprise! Guess what position he plays? Running back, Joe McKnight, the Trojans' leading rusher, has been driving an SUV owned by a Santa Monica businessman, which would be a violation of NCAA rules. The NCAA prohibits student-athletes from accepting benefits from marketing representatives or agents or "extra benefits" based on their athletic ability. McKnight said, "I haven't done anything wrong. I'm just being a football player and a father to my child. "I won't break any rules because I know if I do I can't get on the football field. I'm trying to keep my life secure and stay on the football field."

Future Pirate QB

ECU coach Skip Holtz may have added the Pirates' quarterback of the future. Holtz said Friday that former Boston College quarterback Dominique Davis is one of three junior-college transfers who signed letters of intent to play for East Carolina. Davis helped lead the Eagles to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game in 2008 but transferred after he was suspended for academic reasons. He landed at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas and led an offense that averaged 492 yards. Davis will be in the mix to replace Patrick Pinkney.






Via ESPN

Three Head Monster

Miami Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon talked about the importance of having a primary runner. He was lucky after the Hurricanes used three running backs this season. Shannon wasn't disappointed not having a 1,000-yard back because Graig Cooper, Damien Berry and Javarris James took turns leading the ground game. When any suffered was hurt, another filled in with a solid performance. Cooper leads UM with 666 yards, ahead of Berry 587 and James 491.


Other notes: Cooper, remains unsure if he will return for his senior year. His father, Tino Thomas, said he expects Cooper back for another season. Cooper will announce his plans sometime after the bowl game. As of now Graig Cooper is a potential ``third-rounder because of speed, versatility, return ability.''

RIP Chris Henry

I know everybody heard Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, a former West Virginia star, died Thursday morning, one day after falling out of the back of a pickup truck in what police have called a domestic dispute. The day before his death, he and his fiancée met with a wedding planner, who says Henry was "annoyed" and "aggravated" by the cost of his nuptials, TMZ reports. The company's rep told TMZ that Henry got upset over the bill and, "with an attitude," asked his fiancée, "How much we paying for all this?" According to TMZ, the couple "bickered" and then Henry walked out of the store, leaving Tonga to ultimately decide, fill out the paperwork and pay the deposit. Below is the video of Chad OchoCinco who talks about his friend.

Still No Contribution

The word on Darren McFadden coming out of the draft is that he had touchdown-on-any-play capability. He was the kind of home run threat Al Davis loves. Johnson and McFadden were the two fastest backs at the NFL scouting combine, with Johnson timing 4.24 in the 40-yard dash and McFadden 4.33. Yet McFadden has only four runs of 20 or more yards in 22 NFL games and they all came in the same game _ a 21-carry, 164-yard effort in against Kansas City that included his longest run, a 50-yarder. McFadden’s longest run from scrimmage this season is 15 yards against Denver. This is surprising me because I felt McFadden was going to hold it down for the 6' backs but he has let me down. Head Coach Tom Cable thinks McFadden’s big runs from scrimmage have been held back in part because of his troubles with injuries, turf toe last season and arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn meniscus this year. Well we will see what next season brings for those Raiders.

Murray Maybe Leaving

Well I guess us OU supporters can't count on DeMarco Murray’s return to Oklahoma just yet. The junior, who previously said he was “pretty sure” he would return for his senior season, said he hadn’t made up his mind. A month ago, Murray said: “I like it here. I don’t want to end my career at OU with an 8-4 record or whatever, so I’m just trying to get better. And I just enjoy being here. I’m part of a great team here. I love the coaching staff. I love the camaraderie with my teammates.” Now after practice, he is quoted saying: “Whenever I said that, I was just in the moment and felt I need to come back. But after talking to coaches and things like that, they agree with me that I need to look at both sides and figure out what I’m going to do.” If he leaves I can't blame him but he will not be high as he would like if he leaves now. Of course, I may be saying this because of a bias opinion. One of the key factors will be how the offensive line is looking. “We’ve got some talent here in the O-line, but we knew there was work to be done after those five (linemen) left last year. We’ve got to look at it after the bowl game, see who’s going to stick around and who’s not.” Murray said he has consulted Williams and Sam Bradford -- teammates who chose to return to OU after being faced with their own decisions this time last year. Keep your fingers crossed.

Florida End of Dynasty?

An estimated eight to 10 juniors are submitting paperwork to the NFL draft advisory board for an evaluation at the next level, UF strength coach Mickey Marotti said Wednesday. Marotti helps gather information for players to make the best decision on whether to return for a senior season or enter the draft. Marotti said it is “hard to tell” whether juniors already have made decisions. CB Joe Haden, DE Carlos Dunlap, TE Aaron Hernandez and OLs Maurkice and Mike Pouncey are prime candidates to leave early. Other candidates for an evaluation include S Ahmad Black, S Major Wright, DT Lawrence Marsh, OL Carl Johnson, OL Marcus Gilbert and RB Chris Rainey, a redshirt sophomore. A potential NFL rookie salary cap could force many juniors to enter the league this year for guaranteed money.

Best College Career Over

Jahvid Best's season officially ended. Cal coach Jeff Tedford announced that Best, sidelined since Nov. 7 because of a concussion and lingering back injury, will not play in next week's Poinsettia Bowl against Utah. The tailback with electrifying speed, has submitted paperwork to the NFL draft advisory committee, seeking feedback on when he might be selected in April. The deadline to enter the draft is Jan. 15. Best could go as high as late in the first round if he decides to turn pro. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. lists Best as the 20th-best NFL prospect in the nation, and the No. 2 running back behind Clemson senior C.J. Spiller. Todd McShay doesn't project Best becoming a first-round pick. His stock could rise significantly if he shows NFL scouts he's healthy.

Maybe Going Pro?

USC tailback Stafon Johnson, who suffered season-ending throat injuries in a September weightlifting accident, is expected to announce soon that he will make himself available for the NFL draft, a family source confirmed Saturday. Johnson's intent to turn pro was first reported last week by NFL.com. After the Trojans' first workout in preparation for the Emerald Bowl, Coach Pete Carroll said that he had spoken to Johnson and that the senior "hasn't decided that yet, officially." Johnson, who is in his fourth year at USC, could petition the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility because of the injury. Carroll said that an announcement by Johnson was imminent and that he will support whatever decision.

Just Win a Bowl

The Sooners played in the national championship game last year. They had the Heisman Trophy winner. They won their sixth Big 12 championship and set a handful of NCAA scoring records. Life was good. But with that Heisman winner (and a bunch of others) injured, OU is trying to crawl out of a recession. Will players care? Will recruits notice? "As far as players, I think we care about wherever we're going," DeMarco Murray said. "... I think we're gonna be there (as) just another game to showcase what we're about. But I think everyone's fired up to play." That's actually a pretty good argument. Show up and get embarrassed by the third- or fourth-best team in the Pac-10, and that only hammers an image of a program that already has endured a decade's worth of postseason meltdowns. Prepare right, play hard and win the game, and the bowl criticisms will slow, at least. As a OU supporter I feel that this is a good way to work for next season since they are so young. Honestly there are at least three measurables for OU in winning the Sun Bowl. 8-5 record versus 7-6 record. The latter would be the most losses ever under Bob Stoops and match his fewest wins. An 8-5 team that lost four games by a touchdown or less to ranked teams on the road, hammered its ranked rival 27-0 and won its bowl game is more likely to be ranked high to start 2010 than a team that finishes 7-6 and mails in its bowl trip. That should be fuel for the underclassmen. Just win a bowl. It seems like another lifetime, but OU's last bowl victory was the Holiday Bowl. Not the Fiesta. Not the Orange. Not the Sugar. Not the national championship. That came against the No. 6 team in the nation, Oregon, which was snubbed by the BCS. I just hope they all come to play because only three current Sooners have participated in a bowl win. Since English is hurt that leaves two players on the field who have tasted postseason win. Boomer Sooner!

Returning For Another One

Jake Locker with his dog, Ten, walked into the UW football offices and told head coach Steve Sarkisian and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier a simple "I'm staying. With Locker back, the Huskies will be expected to break a seven-year bowl drought and again return to winning. But it seems pretty obvious he enjoys being a Husky, being close to his family in Ferndale, and felt he could use another year of college to prepare for the NFL, especially now that he is under the tutelage of Sarkisian and Nussmeier. Locker's decision will set in place the school's first Heisman campaign of any note since the days of Cody Pickett and Reggie Williams. Some are arguing is that Locker's decision will help his football career, but greatly reduce his earning potential. Had Locker come out this year and been one of the top-10 picks as predicted, he would have been looking at no less than $15 million of guaranteed money just for signing a contract. But many also believed he was doomed to suffer a fate similar to Mark Sanchez and struggle right out of the gate. As long as he doesn't get hurt and Washington is successful he will look smart.

Expansion

There has been talk on the Big Ten expanding to 12 teams and two divisions like the SEC, Big 12 and ACC. It would create a Big Ten title game that could be worth $5 million or more to the league. The Big Ten Network would love to televise it, and the conference has a 51 percent ownership. Big Ten ADs didn't like seeing the SEC and Big 12 title games. Paterno lobbied at the Big Ten meetings in May, saying, "Everybody else is playing playoffs on television. You never see a Big Ten team mentioned. So I think that's a handicap." Paterno has mentioned Rutgers, Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Missouri has been rumored forever. Cincinnati and Louisville might be considered. Notre Dame won't happen. The school puts a premium on its independence.

Shielding from the Media

Ohio State protects Terrelle Pryor off the field, too. The sophomore quarterback was not allowed to speak with reporters Monday during the Buckeyes’ media day for their upcoming Rose Bowl appearance. It follows a trend set by coach Jim Tressel, who likes to shield his underclassmen from the media as much as possible. Before Pryor’s biggest five games as a starter, he has been off limits to reporters. That includes this year’s showdown with Southern California, two games with rival Michigan and the Buckeyes’ two bowl games — last season before the Fiesta Bowl against Texas and leading up to this Rose Bowl. Tressel may not let Pryor speak to reporters very often because of the fallout from earlier this season when he wore a tribute to Michael Vick on his eyeblack during the season opener.

Cam Newton's Comeback

When the Cam Newton left Florida last January seeking to continue his college football career at a junior college, he wanted somewhere he could grow his passing skills. He did that and more this season at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. Newton is once again a target of major college football recruiters. Oklahoma is among the leaders. Newton's passing success caught everyone off guard. Although the 6-foot-6, 247-pound Newton abandoned running the ball. The junior college signing period begins Wednesday, and Newton has said wherever he goes, he will enroll for the spring semester. His other suitors are Arizona, Auburn, Kansas State, Mississippi State and North Carolina. Newton is the top-ranked junior college recruit — and the only five-star juco prospect in the country — according to Rivals.com.

Yellow Jackets Think About NFL

Derrick Morgan tops the list of juniors who say they will examine their draft options after Georgia Tech's bowl game. Morgan was a first-team All-America pick by The Associated Press on Tuesday. Receiver Demaryius Thomas, a third-team All-America selection, running back Jonathan Dwyer and safety Morgan Burnett also are possibilities to enter the draft. Morgan and Dwyer are widely regarded as possible first-round picks. The juniors are expected to submit their names to the NFL Draft Advisory Board this week. The board advises underclassmen on where they might be rated for the draft. Dwyer said "it's pretty weird" to see so many Georgia Tech juniors included in NFL mock drafts on the Internet. Morgan said he is curious to see what the other juniors will do. And Thomas confirmed he's still considering his options despite telling a reporter recently he had decided to return for his senior season.

Benn Forgoes Senior Season

ESPN reports that Illinois wide receiver Arrelious Benn will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. "This is a dream for me. I've proven myself on the college level and I've proven I can make plays," Benn said Wednesday. Benn is the third-ranked receiver by Todd McShay of Scouts Inc., behind Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant and Notre Dame's Golden Tate. Benn is ranked No. 33 overall on Scouts' list of draft prospects. "I can do returns, but I also consider myself a pure receiver. I've got the size advantage and I have a real hunger to prove myself," Benn said. Been saiid at a news conference Wednesday he thinks he is ready for the National Football League and wants to take care of his family. Benn is considered a top prospect and high-round pick even after a disappointing junior season at Illinois. Draft expert and former NFL general manager Gil Brandt believes Benn will be a second-round pick. His mom Denise wants him to stay at Illinois but that does not look like it is going to happen.

Failing Champions

Last year NFL champions not only ride a five-game losing streak, they look like a team that has lost its will after stunning defeats at the hands of Kansas City, Oakland and Cleveland. The players failed to back up Tomlin's promises of "Redemption Sunday" in Baltimore and to "unleash hell in December." Then the coach himself failed to back up his promises to make lineup and schematic changes in Cleveland. If the losing does not stop, their five-game skid could turn into eight, the longest by the Steelers since 1969. That was Chuck Noll's first season as coach of a dreadful team with a long history of losing. The Steelers remain technically in the race for a playoff spot, as remote as it may be, but their real battle is to regain their footing over their final three games.